Police, community and calendar briefs for Oct. 24, 2013

Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:53 p.m.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles now offers an online traffic crash reporting form.

Under Florida law, drivers involved in a crash that does not warrant a law enforcement report are required to submit their own written report to the department within 10 days of the crash.

The online form is intended to make it easier to submit the required form.

If the crash meets the following criteria, the driver may complete the Driver Self Report of Traffic Crash form, in lieu of having a crash report completed by a law enforcement agency:

No injuries resulted from the crash — no report of pain or discomfort or visible injuries.

No vehicle involved in the crash required a tow truck.

The crash did not involve an intoxicated driver.

The crash did not involve a “hit-and-run” vehicle — all vehicles involved must have been occupied.

The crash did not involve a commercial motor vehicle.

Once completed, the report will be automatically submitted and can be saved and printed.

The report can be found at:

www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/CrashReport.

Corrections officer fired after sex-battery charge

A man charged Monday with sexual battery has been fired from his job as a state corrections officer.

Misty Cash, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections, said on Wednesday that Scott Michael Johns, 31, has been terminated from his job at the Lowell Correctional Institution. Cash said Johns was hired in April 2009.

According to Marion County Sheriff’s Office Detective Ollue Myers’ report, the victim, 9, told an official at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection that Johns wanted her to touch him, pulled up her shirt and licked her chest. The girl alleged there had been three incidents of inappropriate behavior, including sexual molestation, by Johns within the last three years.

Johns denied the accusations.

He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he remaind on $100,000 bond.

COMMUNITY

Ocala board approves zoning request for club

The Ocala Board of Adjustment on Tuesday approved the Historic Ocala Preservation Society Inc.’s request for a special exception to allow a private club at 712 SE Fort King St.

The property, which includes the historic Bryant House recently purchased by HOPS, is located in an R-3, Multifamily zoning district. A special exception was needed because HOPS wants to use the house as its headquarters.

According to Patricia Hitchcock, the city’s one-stop permit manager, the Board of Adjustment made it clear this exception was for HOPS and HOPS-related purposes. It may not be used for rentals for events such as weddings.

Interfaith to hold food drive at Vanguard game

The fourth annual Interfaith Emergency Services food drive will be Friday night at Vanguard High School’s football game at Booster Stadium, 2900 NE 36th Ave., Ocala.

Anyone who brings a donated food or personal hygiene item will receive $1 off the ticket price.

Firefighters will be honored at ceremony

Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners will honor new, promoted and retiring employees during a ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday at the McPherson Governmental Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 291-8000.